4.5 Stars - Very Good/Excellent - "...In 1957, Ra occupied a low orbit around the planet, not completely free of the gravitational pull of conventional jazz. SOUND OF JOY...isn't revolutionary so much as subversive..."

The late pianist/bandleader/composer Sun Ra was known for his theatrical performances and for applying concepts of free jazz to a big band/orchestral context. SOUND OF JOY was recorded in 1957, during the Ra's Chicago sojourn, and is closer to the modern swinging sounds of Duke Ellington than to free jazz. Ellington was clearly an influence on Ra, and Ra combines this with the more progressive aspects of hard bop. SOUND OF JOY is ideal for Ra neophytes and Ra fans that want to hear his beginnings.